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🎧 This Is Surveying
Because surveying matters, and so do the people behind it.
This Is Surveying lifts the lid on the real world of surveying, the highs, the hurdles, the geeky details (yes, even AI and emerging tech), and the humans driving it all.
We go beyond the stereotypes to explore how surveyors shape both the built and natural environment. You’ll hear honest, down-to-earth conversations about work, business, and life, from seasoned professionals to those just starting out, plus fresh perspectives from guests outside the profession who bring valuable insight into leadership, innovation, and change.
Powered by Surveyors UK, the independent platform connecting and promoting the profession, and The Surveying Room, its free online community bringing surveyors together, breaking down silos, and making surveying visible.
If you’re a surveyor, a future surveyor, or simply curious about this brilliant and often overlooked profession, you’re in the right place.
Hosted by Nina Young, Founder of Surveyors UK. Visit www.surveyors-uk.com
to join The Surveying Room and learn more.
We are also on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@SurveyorsUK
21Â Episodes
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Summary Marine surveying is a fascinating part of the surveying profession that many people never hear about. In this episode, Nina Young speaks with David Pestridge, marine surveyor and owner of White Hat Marine Surveying. David shares what life is really like inspecting yachts, narrowboats, and barges across the UK. From pre-purchase inspections to identifying serious structural defects, David explains the realities of marine surveying and how the role shares many similarities with proper...
Summary Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the property industry. In this episode of This Is Surveying, Nina Young speaks with Christopher De Gruben, chartered surveyor and Head of AI and Property at Artefact. Chris works at the forefront of AI adoption in real estate, helping major property owners and investors implement data and AI strategies across Europe and the Middle East. They explore what AI actually means for surveyors, where the real opportunities are, and why parts of ...
Summary In this episode of This Is Surveying, Nina Young speaks with Jordan Turner, senior lecturer at the University of the Built Environment. Jordan shares his career journey from residential property to commercial surveying and academia, and explains why sustainability and EPC reform are central to the profession's future. They also explore skills shortages, education pathways, and the need to make surveying more visible to young people. What We Cover Career journey from resi...
Summary In this episode of This Is Surveying, I’m joined by Elliot Goulding, QS recruiter and Director of ProBuild Recruitment. We talk about the current state of quantity surveying recruitment in the UK, why flexibility matters more than ever, and how AI is already reshaping construction businesses. If you’re a quantity surveyor, a hiring manager, or a student looking to enter the profession, this conversation will give you practical insight into what is happening right now and what could be...
Summary Suzanne Hill, business strategist for AI and founder of AI for SMEs, joins me to talk about AI at a strategic level. We look beyond shiny tools and explore how AI will change business models, client expectations, and the future of surveying and construction firms. What we cover Suzanne’s journey from construction into AIWhy AI is 80 percent strategy and peopleThe risks of jumping into tools without directionData ownership and client behaviourHow AI could disrupt traditional surveying ...
Summary Lewis Denbow, chartered building surveyor at Harris Associates, joins me to share his journey from an electrical apprenticeship into building surveying. We talk about apprenticeships, the APC, communication skills, and why the trades could play a huge role in solving the surveying skills shortage. What we cover An unorthodox route into building surveyingDegree apprenticeships and accessibilityLessons from the tradesCommunication and client relationshipsProject management and stakehold...
Summary Sarah Tanner, associate director at Stanley and Strong, joins me to talk all things party wall surveying. From her unconventional career journey to the realities of fees, disputes, and neighbour relations, this episode lifts the lid on one of the most misunderstood areas of surveying. What we cover How Sarah became a party wall surveyorWhat triggers the Party Wall ActConsent, dissent, and what they really meanParty wall fees and what “reasonable” looks likeCommunication, conflict, and...
Summary In this episode of This Is Surveying, Nina Young speaks with Rosie Wills, a chartered construction manager and ASSOC RICS surveyor based in North Devon. Rosie shares her journey from over ten years in social housing into private residential surveying. We discuss damp and mould, peer review, Level 2 surveys, estate agent relationships, vendor surveys, pricing transparency, and why collaboration matters across the UK surveying profession. This is a practical conversation about raising s...
Summary In this episode I’m joined by commercial property surveyor and Property Elite co-founder Rachel Saint. We talk about APC pathways, the Senior Professional route, and why structured support matters so much for UK surveyors at every stage. Rachel shares how she went from secretary to chartered surveyor, built a career in landlord and tenant and retail consultancy, and then pivoted into training surveyors across a huge range of pathways. We dig into the reality of the RICS APC, how to ch...
In this episode I am joined by Ola Alade, a chartered commercial surveyor and RICS Matrics Commercial Property Surveyor of the Year 2025. Ola shares how he went from biomedical science to commercial property, and why he has chosen to focus his work on helping small businesses understand and negotiate their commercial leases. We talk about AI in surveying, from the reality on the ground in property firms to the tools that are already saving time for small practices. We also get into access, di...
Summary Building surveying apprentice and RICS Matrics Apprentice of the Year, Sonya Swaley, joins me to share her journey into surveying and life on a five year apprenticeship. After Covid disrupted her A levels and a year studying economics, Sonya made the leap into professional construction and has not looked back. We talk about the realities of balancing work, university and APC preparation, why she chose building surveying over quantity surveying, and how apprenticeships can unlock a cha...
In this episode, I’m joined by registered building inspector and building control surveyor, Jack Calveley. Jack talks through his journey from SAVA residential surveying into LABC’s trainee programme, gaining his Level 4 and 5 qualifications, and moving from local authority into private sector building control. We unpack what building control actually is, what a registered building inspector does all week, why the role is now a protected title, and how the profession is changing with new comp...
Summary In this solo episode, I talk about why AI is already reshaping surveying, from residential surveys to professional practice, whether you consider yourself “techy” or not. I look at the new RICS professional standard on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in surveying practice, and what it means for judgement, accountability and how we use AI day to day. I also share details of a live, practical AI session I am running with AI trainer Nick Crawford, designed specifical...
Summary In this episode I’m joined by Layla Davey, a Chartered Commercial Surveyor working in rail freight at Network Rail. Layla looks after a huge patch across the South of England, dealing with sidings, open storage, landlord and tenant issues and day to day commercial surveying on the railway. We talk about what rail freight actually involves, the reality of site inspections, and why “read the lease” has become her professional motto. Layla also shares an honest account of navigatin...
A song written just for you - all the incredible surveyors and supporters of Surveyors UK. I want to say a personal thank you for all your support, both on this podcast and across The Surveying Room and Surveyors UK. Wishing you all a well-deserved break, and here's to 2026! Nina Young Founder - Surveyors UK, The Surveying Room and This is Surveying If you want to connect with surveyors across the UK and keep up with the profession, join The Surveying Room. It is free to join and open t...
Summary In this episode of This Is Surveying, I’m joined by Peter Monk, an independent damp and timber surveyor based on the Isle of Wight. Peter’s route into surveying is not the typical one. He left school at 16, trained as a baker, moved into management, worked as a contractor, then later qualified and moved into surveying. That mix of hands-on experience and deep technical curiosity shapes how he approaches damp, timber, ventilation, heritage buildings, and building pathology. We talk abo...
In this “My Take” solo episode, I talk about what it really feels like to be a surveyor at this time of year. Not just the technical side, but the human side. I dig into independence vs isolation, the quiet pressure of judgement and risk, and why cross-disciplinary community matters more than ever for the surveying profession. I also share how The Surveying Room is helping surveyors connect, and outline my new introductory AI webinar for January, designed to give surveyors practical, safe fir...
In this episode I’m joined by Joe Nelson, a chartered architectural technologist and chartered building engineer working in retrofit. We talk about what is actually happening on the ground in UK housing, from failed external wall insulation schemes and TrustMark action through to new PAS 2035 requirements, BS 40104 and RICS’ emerging retrofit pathways. Joe brings it back to people. We explore how retrofit affects vulnerable communities, the links to Awaab’s Law and the housing crisis, and whe...
Summary In this solo episode of This Is Surveying called "My Take", I talk about something I see across the whole profession. Surveying is still largely invisible to the public, to young people choosing careers, and even to some of the industries that rely on us. I share my own story, why I stepped away from qualifying as a residential surveyor to build Surveyors UK and The Surveying Room, and how this podcast is part of making surveyors visible and valued. What we cover Why can most p...
Summary In this first episode, I speak with Richard Sexton, Commercial Director at Houzecheck. Richard has worked across the property and valuation sector for more than three decades, including corporate roles at LSL and exposure to major market shifts from the 1990s crash through to COVID. We talk about how desktop valuations have developed, how corporates compare with independent practices, and how technology and AI are shaping everything from reporting to customer experience. This is a gro...
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